Fox To Reboot 'In Living Color' With Keenen Ivory Wayans; 2 Specials Set For Midseason

EXCLUSIVE: Fox is bringing back its groundbreaking 1990s sketch comedy series In Living Color with the series’ creator and star, Keenen Ivory Wayans, on board as host and executive producer. Fox has ordered two In Living Color half-hour specials to air as part of the network’s 25th anniversary celebration in midseason with a series option behind them, meaning that in success, the reboot will join Fox’s schedule as a regular series next season. I hear it was Wayans’ idea to revive the popular sketch comedy series with a new cast. The new In Living Color will be produced by his production company Ivory Way Prods. in association with 20th Century Fox TV’s Fox 21.

Like the remake, the original In Living Color, which was produced by Ivory Way Prods and 20th TV, also launched in midseason, premiering on April 15, 1990. It broke stereotypes by employing a cast of mostly black comedians and introducing hip-hop and dancing to mainstream television. The show helped launch the careers of a slew of comedy actors — its cast included Wayans; his siblings Damon, Shawn, Kim and later Marlon; as well as Jim Carrey, Jamie Foxx and David Alan Grier — and of course Jennifer Lopez as one of the Fly Girls. It spawned such iconic characters as “Men on Film,” starring flamboyant film critics Blaine Edwards (Damon Wayans) and Antoine Merriweather (Grier); Homey D. Clown (Damon Wayans), a dour urban kiddie entertainer whose catchphrase was “Homey don’t play that!”; streetwise scam artists “The Home Boys” (Keenen Ivory and Damon Wayans); and Fire Marshall Bill (Jim Carrey), a disfigured safety expert. In Living Color gave its actors freedom to improvise and it skewered everyone, particularly black America. In probably the most successful programming stunt opposite the Super Bowl ever, a special live edition of In Living Color drew some 25 million viewers during the halftime of the 1992 Super Bowl on CBS. But the show’s fearlessness when it comes to the targets of its jokes and the unapologetic political incorrectness of its skits often ran afoul with Fox’s censors. The frequent clashes contributed to Wayans’ departure from the show after the third season though he remained an executive producer. In Living Color ended its run in May 1994 after five seasons.

Fox has long been looking to launch a successful new sketch comedy series. Last season, it tried with In The Flow With Affion Crockett, executive produced by In Living Color alum Foxx, which was originally slated for midseason but ultimately aired in the summer to low ratings. Keenen Ivory Wayans, repped by UTA, has been focused on features for the past 15 years, directing, writing and producing the successful Scary Movie franchise as well as White Chicks and Little Man, on which he worked with his brothers. At Fox 21, In Living Color joins series Homeland, Breakout Kings and Sons Of Anarchy.

234 Comments

First BEAVIS & BUTT-HEAD and now this? The ’90s are back and better than ever!

College Student • on Oct 28, 2011 5:27 pm

So first the 80s and now the 90s. What happens when they run out of stuff from the 90s to re-make and re-boot? They didn’t release any original, interesting content in the 00s, so… back to the 80s again?

yeah, the wayans brothers never did anything origional to begin with like launching a couple really big careers or pioneering in any way with comedy. i bet this will be exactly the same except with an audience that suffers from self importance and worships obama.

Zach • on Oct 29, 2011 1:33 am

What in the world are you talking about? Why don’t you write less and spend more time unclogging your brain?

peg • on Oct 30, 2011 6:26 am

Don’t forget the Fly Girls!!!!

Aquaman • on Oct 29, 2011 11:30 am

“yeah, the wayans brothers never did anything origional to begin with like launching a couple really big careers or pioneering in any way with comedy.”
Say WHAT?!? Jim Carrey, Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Lopez didn’t get famous from “In Living Color”? Really? If it wasn’t for the Wayans Bros., we wouldn’t have half of the comedy shows today. Dave Chappelle owes his shows success to In Living Color. SNL would still be a majorily white cast if ILC didn’t stick their neck out to test the waters with black comedians. SNL was proud to have Eddie Murphy and that’s what they stuck with for years! And as to your last statement… Worship Obama? FOH worship me!

Anti-believer • on Oct 29, 2011 1:58 pm

Aquaman, you can leave Jenny out. The others are talented.

@ Toiletclogg… Obviously you never watched the show! STFU

River • on Oct 30, 2011 2:16 pm

…the guy was being sarcastic

chaseme • on Oct 29, 2011 12:00 pm

Toiletclogga:

Your sarcasm was unfortunately wasted on these dimwits. Zach, Aquaman I hope you unclog your brain before you watch the new In Living Color specials. Otherwise, the quick witted Wayans humor will “Not be for you fush, so go back to the ocean!”

Can’t wait for more In Living Color!

boxhawker • on Oct 29, 2011 4:18 pm

Wow. You obviously never watched the show, it was an unbelievable departure from mainstream TV. They skewered EVERYBODY, and in a brutally comedic way. It seemed the point of the show was to ridicule the avoidance of “stereotypes” in society. They let you belly laugh at everyone without the gelding of political correctness. In my opinion it was as groundbreaking as All in the Family.

Aaron in Wisconsin • on Oct 30, 2011 12:37 pm

That was so well put.

peg • on Oct 30, 2011 6:21 am

you are an idiot. In Living Color was the best show ever!!!! everything the Wayans Bros. does is genius.

y hate • on Oct 30, 2011 9:06 am

fist of all they are all funny and they are orignial so stop hating

KK • on Oct 30, 2011 2:05 pm

STFU

Sheri • on Oct 30, 2011 7:29 pm

Yes I do worship our President!! Yes I will support the Wayans new venture! And to as the rest of what clogged had to say, keep talking cause it really doesnt matter what you have to say anyway the show is going to be aired!! Take that!

Anonymous • on Nov 1, 2011 4:21 pm

It beats sitting up listening to the rantings of glenn beck or sean hannity or flush rush. Don’t watch, you probably wouldn’t get it anyway.

Rebooter • on Oct 31, 2011 11:17 am

They are running out of new ideas. They are rebooting Lost for 2012 summer. It’s called Lost Again.

Bob • on Oct 30, 2011 8:01 am

Need to bring back “Wanda”…

Michelle • on Oct 28, 2011 4:32 pm

YESSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Will James Carrey be making a cameo?

Eric Smith • on Oct 28, 2011 6:44 pm

I remember Firemarshal Bill as one of the funniest sketch comedies I have ever seen. Everything that could go wrong for him did and Carrey was brilliant at his role. His facial distortions were incredible and brought firefighting to a new artform. I would love to see a remake of this classic bit.

Gary Nelson Harper • on Oct 30, 2011 3:33 am

“That’s not a hole.. It’s a fire escape”—FM Bill

HAHAHA • on Oct 28, 2011 9:05 pm

I hope not,firechief bob really sucked,and so did the 90’s.

WTF • on Oct 28, 2011 4:42 pm

Of course they are because the morally bankrupt den of thieves that is hollywood have no clue how to CREATE a tv show that engages humanity. Welcome to more BS.

M Maze • on Oct 28, 2011 4:49 pm

HOMEY THE CLOWN!!!

Homey • on Oct 28, 2011 5:40 pm

Ain’t gonna happen – Homey don’t play that game!

kari ju • on Oct 29, 2011 6:15 am

Yeah, you’d like that, wouldn’t you?

Matt • on Oct 28, 2011 4:50 pm

They would be wise to put in the old Saturday night Mad TV timeslot, not on regular prime time where it probably has no shot.

Sheri • on Oct 30, 2011 7:35 pm

Your right

sd • on Oct 28, 2011 4:51 pm

This show was great back then, but I can’t imagine them getting away with Homie the Clown and Handiman in our regressive culture nowadays.

What? • on Oct 28, 2011 5:44 pm

Do you even watch television these days? The level of things that showrunners are capable of getting away with today is incredibly far beyond what was acceptable television of the time.

wrtrprod7 • on Oct 29, 2011 4:14 pm

Sure, if it’s P.C.

WRTRPROD7 • on Oct 29, 2011 4:15 pm

Imagine the outcry over the gay movie critics. The bullying!

Ed • on Oct 30, 2011 10:53 am

You’ve never seen Family Guy, have you?

snappy • on Oct 30, 2011 11:47 am

It all depends, things like Family Guy, South Park and American Dad for some reason, are much more free to get away with stuff than other things, especially older programs from an earlier comedic period. Part of it is the animated and new aspect or it. I do believe In Living Color would have a freer reign than some other shows.

King Ghidora • on Oct 30, 2011 12:08 pm

Yeah blacks parodying blacks is totally non-PC and won’t pass the P-olitically I-nformed S-tandards S-creening test. And HBO will be cancelled next week for the same reason. Homey don’t play PC, Jack.

ILC was an incredibly funny show. The fact they were willing to go beyond the PC rules was half the fun. No one escaped their sharp wit. The way they skewered Farrakhan and his flowery misuse of language was pure poetry. It would be a crime against nature to lose the ability to poke fun.

What What • on Oct 28, 2011 4:54 pm

HOMIE’S BACK! THIS IS AMAZING NEWS!

Darin • on Oct 28, 2011 4:55 pm

Loved the show in the 90s. If they bring this back it would be huge! Kids don’t know talent anymore and the Waynes need to show the new generation what they’re missing. MESSAGE!

David • on Oct 28, 2011 4:57 pm

I hope this is a vehicle for some creative young talent to come around. SNL isn’t doing it for me. It may be hard to match the chemistry that the Wayans family had back then. I’m very cynical with comedy, but I’m looking forward to checking this out.

Sporty • on Oct 28, 2011 5:59 pm

SNL sucks anymore. It had a good run but it’s just not funny anymore. It was great back in the day with the good SNL, SCTV, MadTV and In Living Color. Now there’s crap….

Klaatu • on Oct 28, 2011 6:59 pm

SNL isn’t good anymore?! Wow. Thanks for being brave enough to say something no has ever had the guts to say before.

steve • on Oct 29, 2011 9:32 am

snl is still going strong after 30+ years so it still is funny to some people just not you so STFU

Wascally Wabbit • on Oct 28, 2011 4:59 pm

Always liked “In Living Color”. Good move, Fox.

Buttchop • on Oct 28, 2011 7:04 pm

U know how I know u’re gay?

teaj • on Oct 28, 2011 8:58 pm

yer name is buttchop. just sayin’

Tom Selleck • on Oct 28, 2011 9:47 pm

Because I noticed your name is “Buttchop?”

Brian E Force • on Oct 28, 2011 4:59 pm

Men on Film! I give then two snaps and a swirl…..

Candy Girl • on Oct 28, 2011 5:00 pm

Wow. Just wow. I have no words. Jamie Foxx (a progeny of In Living Color)’s “After Party” pilot was hilarious and somehow FBC could find no space for it on the late night schedule. Love the entire Wayans family. No haterism here. But these network execs score ZERO for originality. We should give them another raise in pay.

Buttchop • on Oct 28, 2011 5:03 pm

Just when you thought the television wasteland couldn’t get any more desolate, they go and dig up this POS. Groundbreaking? Do you losers even think about what you write? How was the umpteenth, mediocre ripoff of SNL even remotely groundbreaking or even funny for that matter? Please, if you you find “In Living Color” funny, be sure to never ever vote and to have yourself sterilized.

jmflynny • on Oct 28, 2011 5:26 pm

For the love of all that is holy. Are you seriously using SNL as the standard bearer for comedy?

Did you go into a drug or alcohol induced coma during a Bill Murray sketch and just now wake up?

Aquaman • on Oct 29, 2011 11:39 am

Get’em! SNL was lame and boring until ILC had its moment to shine. Who was watching SNL when In Living Color was on? NOBODY! There was no bite to SNL’s comedy and there’s more memorable characters on ILC than SNL. Come on man, you highbrow SOB’s need to pull that stick out of your butt and laugh at a fart joke every now and then. Dialogue humor is not the best humor. Gotta mix it up. In Living Color had the right balance of dialogue and slapstick. I can’t wait for the re-boot!

Homey Don't Play That • on Oct 28, 2011 5:34 pm

You sound like an angry, left-wing conformist SNL “writer.” That show hasn’t been funny since Clinton jizzed on the blue dress!

Christine • on Oct 28, 2011 8:04 pm

I beg to differ-“Schweaty Balls” is a classic and so are some of the “Jeopardy”-but it’s no where near as hard hitting and daring as it was in 15 years ago….

steve • on Oct 29, 2011 9:35 am

u jelly?

joslo • on Oct 28, 2011 5:05 pm

Two thumbs up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Arelis • on Oct 28, 2011 5:07 pm

So happy to see more Wayan’s work on TV!

spudboy999 • on Oct 28, 2011 5:07 pm

If I am a conservative and I like(d) the show, does that mean I am a racist?

Anonymous • on Oct 28, 2011 5:31 pm

Bahahaha! Right there with ya! I’m also voting for Herman Cain!

ete lamar • on Oct 28, 2011 7:36 pm

yes

The Clintidote • on Oct 28, 2011 8:33 pm

No, it apparently just means the Wayans know their place, if you believe leftist talking holes.

realist • on Nov 1, 2011 12:13 pm

unlike many conservatives, you would demonstrate you had a sense of humor and you aren’t wound up over misguided and false “news”

AWESOME • on Oct 28, 2011 5:10 pm

AWESOME, ABSOLUTLY AWESOME!!!!

NadePaulKuciGravMcKi • on Oct 28, 2011 5:13 pm

Homeboy Shopping Network!

steve • on Oct 29, 2011 9:37 am

same time! different corner! peace!

Jeff • on Oct 28, 2011 5:14 pm

Can’t wait to see Blaine and Antoine in “Men on…” (film, football, etc.) again. Two snaps!

ihearthat • on Oct 28, 2011 5:14 pm

Bring back Wanda and Men on Football!

Henry • on Oct 28, 2011 5:36 pm

Men on Film!

murphy300 • on Oct 28, 2011 7:04 pm

“Would you like something to drink?”

“Oui, oui (wee wee) monsieur!”

That Superbowl halftime show was one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen.

murphy300 • on Oct 28, 2011 7:09 pm

Search “men on vacation in living color” on youtube. Priceless.

REP • on Oct 28, 2011 5:15 pm

They need to bring back some of the writers that made it work, like Rick Najera, and Mary Williams-Villano.

david • on Oct 28, 2011 5:18 pm

Wanda we love you.. “Heyyyyyyyy… You so crazy”

bigdoglv • on Oct 28, 2011 7:15 pm

“I’m ready da go”.

Holla • on Oct 29, 2011 9:33 am

“I’ll rock you’re world!”

jmflynny • on Oct 28, 2011 5:20 pm

I will NEVER forget the live Super Bowl show they did. Utterly shocking for its time.

Carl Lewis, you can run but you cannot hide from your true…..

Anyone else remember this?

bigdoglv • on Oct 28, 2011 7:14 pm

Heck yeah! Watch it on YouTube again and again.

John • on Oct 28, 2011 5:20 pm

Are they going to bash the current black, Marxist regime we have in this country? They should impersonate Eric Holder in a Black Panther’s outfit.

Mike S • on Oct 28, 2011 6:59 pm

John, what color is the sky in your world?

Some dude • on Oct 29, 2011 9:36 am

Ah, I see. This story was linked on Drudge. Makes sense now.

SerfCityHereWeCome • on Oct 29, 2011 9:40 am

ROFL, that would be hysterical! Unfortunately it would also result in the writers being kneecapped by his thugs and dragged off to the gulag.

Mayberryfan • on Oct 29, 2011 5:46 pm

John, you’re SO right. The current admin is an embarrassment. So, I’m glad they’re bringing back In Living Color because we sure need something to laugh about right now!

realist • on Nov 1, 2011 12:10 pm

Nothing was off limits with ILC. They will more likely skewer the fascist right-wing, greedy hypocrites who pretend to be patriotic when all they do is take away our freedoms (that’s the true agenda of the tea partiers!). Gotta love Fox — give us extremely biased and fabricated “news” that is self-servicing to the rich elite, and give us laugh your butt off comedies like Family Guy, American Dad, ILC, and others that push the limits. THAT is America, my friends. ANYTHING FOR A BUCK.